Conducting FocusGroups in LibrariesSarah AerniSpecial Projects LibrarianUniversity of Pittsburgh8 April 2005
Conducting Focus Groups in Libraries Sarah Aerni Special Projects Librarian University of Pittsburgh 8 April 2005
Outline of this PresentationA summary of the focus group processSome specific examples of the focusgroup process used at the University ofPittsburgh to evaluate our collectionsDiscussion and Questions
Outline of this Presentation • A summary of the focus group process • Some specific examples of the focus group process used at the University of Pittsburgh to evaluate our collections. • Discussion and Questions
What are Focus Groups?Focus groups, or group interviews, are amethod of evaluation that allows usersto express their ideas about a topic“Focus Groups are fundamentally a wayof listening to people and learning fromthem."The researchers listen closely as theparticipants describe their experiences
• Focus groups, or group interviews, are a method of evaluation that allows users to express their ideas about a topic. • “Focus Groups are fundamentally a way of listening to people and learning from them.” • The researchers listen closely as the participants describe their experiences. What are Focus Groups?
Other Descriptions of Focus GroupsFocused efforts at data gathering A qualitative research method whichallows the researchersto discover differentapproaches to a known situation Conversations about a specific topic
Other Descriptions of Focus Groups • Focused efforts at data gathering • A qualitative research method which allows the researchers to discover different approaches to a known situation. • Conversations about a specific topic
What kinds of data can you expectto get from focus groups?A balanced sense of how users approachaproblemNew perspectives on an issue (providingdirection for new research projects)A large amount of subjective data thatmust be interpreted
What kinds of data can you expect to get from focus groups? • A balanced sense of how users approach a problem. • New perspectives on an issue (providing direction for new research projects). • A large amount of subjective data that must be interpreted